How to Turn Your Home into a Quiet Oasis

Are you having troubles sleeping? Are you tired of having your sleep disturbed by every passing car or your neighbors shouting? Do you feel like you just can’t get a moment of silence?

Well, you are not alone.

Each night, one out of three people struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. While stress is one of the most known factors to affect the quality of sleep, noise pollution plays an equally important role.

Recent studies have shown that noise pollution affects not only how well we sleep, but our health too. From increased blood pressure to irritability, noise pollution can take a toll on our well-being.

So, what can you do about it?

Here’s a list of home improvements that could turn your house into a quiet oasis.

• Soundproof Doors

One of the best and easiest ways to reduce noise pollution is to install soundproof doors. If you’re tired of hearing everything that’s going on in the hall, then you’ll appreciate the silence a soundproof door can bring.

This simple home improvement can put a stop to hearing people passing by or talking on the phone as they’re looking for their keys.

• Soundproof Windows

Most of the sounds that keep you up at night come from outside: cars, sirens, loud pedestrians. An excellent way to keep annoying sounds out where they belong is to install soundproof windows.

Soundproof windows can reduce up to 95% of existing noise, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep. Not only that they can put an end to traffic noise pollution, but they can also increase the value of your home, should you ever sell it.

• Soundproof Your Walls and Ceiling

This solution is more expensive than the ones mentioned above, but effective nonetheless.

If you live in a particularly noisy area, such as near the airport or railroad, then you might need to take out the heavy artillery, so to speak, if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet after a stressful day at work.

Keep in mind that if you want to install soundproof walls and ceiling, you’ll have to tear down the old ones. This isn’t a DIY project you can make in your spare time. So, it’s best to hire a professional if you’ve decided that this is the best way to reduce noise pollution.

• Carpets and Rugs

You might think that the only purpose a rug has is to tie the room together. But, that’s not all. Carpets and rugs can also reduce the amount of airborne noise that penetrates the floor.

Look for rugs that have a sound-absorbing padding. A foam rubber backing can be just as useful.

• Noise Reducing Curtains

If now and then you wake up wondering if there’s anything you could do that would allow you to sleep just a little bit longer in the morning, then noise reducing curtains is the right solution for you.

There are two types of noise reducing curtains: absorbers and blockers. Whatever you choose, they will act as a barrier for any undesired sound that might disturb your sleep.

Whatever solution you choose, the important thing is to start somewhere. Sure, you might be living in a rented out place, and you probably don’t want to invest too much in home improvements. Curtains and carpets are an excellent starting point in this case. What matters, in the end, is that you do something to reduce the noise pollution that’s affecting your sleep and overall health.